Grand slam shuts out Hurricanes

The Belfast Northstars may have been concerned about a touch of ring rustiness against the Dublin City Hurricanes but it didnt take long to get everyone loose.

Three innings in fact.

Having squeezed past the Buccaneers in the first game, the Hurricanes were riding the crest of a wave facing down Melvin Woods and the Stars who came out in the first inning perhaps a touch over-eager, with a strike out, fly out and pop out leaving Sean McMahon stranded at third. The second wasnt much better for the Belfast bats, two ground balls to the shortstop and a fly out to the centre fielder showing uncharacteristically rushed plate appearances. With the big left hander Woods holding the visitors offence in check, he decided to take the game into his own hands in the third.

With the speedy McMahon and the human energizer bunny that is Chris Shields already aboard, Mark Smith fought every instinct he has and wore a pitch. One flash of the bat later by Melvin Woods and the Stars found themselves 4-0 to the good.

Wanting to keep the momentum rolling, Randy Cornwell, Gord Cuthbert, Stephen Hunter and John McKee all plated showing this team can lean on manufacturing of runs as well as the long ball.

Now with a lead to protect, Woods settled in on the mound and with back to back solo shots by Smith and Woods in the fourth inning, the ball was handed to Cornwell to finish the game off. After a couple of loose pitches, the righthander dug in and induced a ground ball for Josh Cuthbert, showing poise, to tag out the Hurricanes baserunner.

Another solid performance by the Stars who now have a couple of weeks off before travelling to Dublin to face off against the West Clare Dolphins who will no doubt be looking to disrupt this Belfast side's momentum as they roll towards the playoffs.